After the day spending on the tranquil beaches, or watching stunning sunset from Dinh Cau temple, 8 suggested below attractions will grant visitors night delight on the beautiful island of Phu Quoc.
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1. Dinh Cau Night Market – Shop for and enjoy Phu Quoc’s specialities
Dinh Cau night market is a shopping and dining hub, featuring all of Phu Quoc’s specialities. The market takes place from 5 – 10 pm and is always crowded with tourists and locals who are here to shop and sightsee. The night market is located in the centre of Duong Dong Town, on the busy Vo Thi Sau Street, about 100 metres from Dinh Cau Cape.
Must-see: Dinh Cau Beach is a great destination, located right next to the night market. You can take a walk to watch the sunset or the sea night near Dinh Cau Rock Temple, and enjoy a cold drink on the beach.
Where to eat: The food court inside the market, offers a rich selection of local food at reasonable prices, good eateries are La Café (No. 11 Tran Hung Dao) and Pho Bien Café (No. 2 Bach Dang, Duong Dong Town).
2. Bach Dang Night Market – A new destination for shopping and sightseeing
Spreading over 300 metres, the night market on Bach Dang Street features 12 souvenir booths, 20 booths that sell Phu Quoc specialities, and 12 food booths. It is Phu Quoc’s second night market.
Top Tips: Located on Bach Dang Street, the new market is less busy, perfect for couples or visitors who like their market stroll to be less crowded.
Must-see: Behind Bach Dang night market is the Duong Dong River. At the end of the night market, there is a big bridge, and across the bridge is Duong Dong Seafood Market.
Where to eat: The food court inside the night market, offer many dishes of the Phu Quoc cuisine as well as Japanese and Korean food, beer gardens and cafés.
3. Dao Ngoc water puppet Theatre – A unique traditional art form
The water puppetry performed on Phu Quoc is a folk art form commonly known in Northern Vietnam or Saigon and makes seeing a performance makes for a unique cultural experience. Dao Ngoc Water Puppet Theatre was created by Associate Professor Ha Luong Thuan and is performed by artists from Thai Binh Province. The theatre aims to foster traditional water puppetry with the passion and enthusiasm of enthusiasts of this art form.
Top Tips: The theatre is located at No. 129 Tran Hung Dao, Neighbourhood 7, Duong Dong Town. The theatre can accommodate up to 150 guests, and two shows are performed daily during the week, and three shows daily during the weekends. Tickets are 150,000VND per adult and 120,000VND per child.
Where to eat: BoBa Beer Club, Chinaski’s Bar, Gecko Bar, Cay Bang Cafe, Mon Bungalow or Let’s Try Boroda 3.
4. Ham Ninh fishing village – Experience the lives of fishermen
If you are looking for solitude after visiting the busy, crowded tourist areas, travel to Ham Ninh fishing village, where you can immerse yourself in the shining golden moonlight and cool ocean wind, and experience the ancient, quiet, and peaceful lifestyles of the local fishermen. Modernity doesn’t seem to affect the lives here, as people still live in makeshift bamboo-walled cottages. People make a living from pearl mining and fishing for sea cucumbers and crabs. Ham Ninh is also known on Phu Quoc for its cheap seafood market. The most famous seafood here is crab, which is always fresh and meaty and a favourite among tourists.
Top Tips: The fishing village is located 20 kilometres northeast of Duong Dong Town. You can reach the village with a rented motorbike or taxi.
Where to eat: You can buy fresh seafood, including Ham Ninh crab at the fishing village and ask a local to prepare a dish for you.
5. Squid fishing at night – An exciting experience
When night falls, Phu Quoc island goes silent. However, offshore, fishermen are still working in their boat’s shimmering lights. And you can join them for a relaxing yet exciting experience of squid fishing, during which you can fish for your own dinner and enjoy the delicious fresh squid, swordfish or garfish afterwards.
Top Tips: You can book a 3-hour squid fishing all-inclusive tour (with instructions, pick-up and drop-off and fishing gear) at only 200,000VND per person.
Where to eat: Your catch will be cooked and served right on the fishing boat.
6. Ong Lang Beach – Sightseeing at night
Located away from the hustle and bustle of town life, Ong Lang Beach remains pristine and strangely peaceful. Fields of rocks, creating a more interesting landscape, occasionally interrupt the long, sloping sandy beach. A painting of many elements: sky, air, wind, sand and rocks are sure to mesmerise you.
Top Tips: Ong Lang Beach is located in the West of Phu Quoc, between Ganh Dau Beach and Dong Duong Town. Walk on the smooth sand, enjoy the romantic view across the ocean, and soak in the fresh ocean air. After your stroll, visit one of the many restaurants and bars along the beach for a cold drink.
Where to eat: You can choose from the many restaurants and bars along the beach including the Shell Resort & Spa, Coco Palm Resort Phu Quoc, Blue Sea Resort Phu Quoc, Phu Quoc Eco Beach Resort or Bo Resort.
7. Rory’s Beach Bar – a must-see on Phu Quoc
This is one of the best places to visit on Phu Quoc. The bar is located on the beach, near a few resorts, so it’s a convenient spot. It offers a wide range of delicious food at reasonable prices. Spend your evening at Rory’s Beach Bar, have a beer, and lounge on a sofa to soak in the fresh ocean air and the sound of the wind harmonising with passionate music.
Top Tips: The bar is located at 118/10 Tran Hung Dao Street in Duong Dong Town.
Dining: In addition to its colourful drinks menu, the bar offers a variety of food including salad, fries, pasta, curries and fresh Phu Quoc seafood dishes.
8. Coco Bar – Relax and soak in the wonderful ocean air
Coco Bar is rated on TripAdvisor as one of the best bars on Phu Quoc. With its airy open space, Coco Bar offers both indoor seating options and a porch for guests to enjoy the fresh ocean air. The bar’s casual décor has a coastal town feel. The food and drinks here are cleverly prepared. All together these elements make for an unforgettable experience for guests.
Top tips: The bar is located at 118/3 Tran Hung Dao in Duong Dong Town.
Dining: Both cocktails and barbecued dishes served here are highly rated.
Phu Quoc – Pearl Island of Vietnam never stops enchanting its guests with numerous attractions. 8 places below have been selected and recommended by Wanderlust Tips, giving tourists good suggestions for afternoon visits.
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1. Dinh Cau Rock Temple – Phu Quoc’s religious and cultural symbol
Located in Neighbourhood No. 2 of Duong Dong town, Dinh Cau Rock Temple is considered the religious and cultural symbol of Phu Quoc. The temple was built to worship the Dragon King, who protects the fishermen on their offshore fishing voyages. It is unclear when Dinh Cau was built, but this old temple is imposingly located on a cliff and seems to have been put in front of the ocean with a bit of magic. In addition to sightseeing, visitors to the temple also worship here and pray for peace. Dinh Cau Lighthouse is another great place to enjoy the sunset, but beware; its beauty can overwhelm you.
Must-see: Dinh Ba Thuy Long Thanh Mau is located only 100 metres away. This place is dedicated to goddess Kim Giao, according to legend she was instrumental in the creation of Phu Quoc.
Where to eat: Ngon Seafood Restaurant (Neighbourhood 1, Duong Dong Town), Cat Bien Café and Pho Bien Café.
2. Da Ngon Stream – Picturesque poetic scenery
The bold and majestic Da Ngon Stream is comprised of seven picturesque waterfalls. The stream is surrounded by primary forest, adorned by orchids and wildflowers vibrant in the sunlight, making the rustic, picturesque scenery here burst with colours.
Top Tips: Da Ngon Stream is located in the North of Phu Quoc, near Duong Dong Lake and is part of Phu Quoc National Park. The best time to visit the stream is from November to April when the stream still flows, allowing visitors to sightsee, photograph or even bathe in the spring water.
Must-see: Da Ban Stream on the way to Da Ngon Stream.
Where to eat: You should bring your own food and water and have a picnic, or return to Duong Dong Town where there are many restaurants including Vuong Co Thu, Ot Xanh, Ngoi Sao Do, Song Xanh and Le Giang.
3. Conservation Centre and Racetrack of Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dogs – Learn about the rare super breed of Vietnam
The Conservation Centre and Racetrack of the Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dogs – also known as Thanh Nga Farm is located in Cay Thong Ngoai Hamlet in Cua Duong Commune. It is home to the rare Phu Quoc ridgeback dogs, and doubles as a tourism hub. The farm has a research centre and a racetrack for ridgeback dogs, so visitors can learn about the instincts of the Phu Quoc ridgebacks. In addition to visiting and seeing a dog race, you can buy a purebred Phu Quoc ridgeback from 1,000,000 VND. Prices depend on colour and age.
Where to eat: Ngoi Sao Do Restaurant (No. 3 Le Hong Phong), Phu Quoc Seafood Restaurant (272 Nguyen Trung Truc), Den Long Café, Bao An Café (Nguyen Trung Truc).
4. Phu Quoc Fish Sauce Factory – Visit a centennial fish sauce factory
Phu Quoc fish sauce is considered the best in Vietnam, thanks to its 100-year-old traditional recipe. Many fish sauce factories here are located in Duong Dong Town, along the Duong Dong River, including Kim Hoa, Thinh Phat, Khai Hoan and Hung Thinh. Many of these factories allow visitors to witness the processing of fish sauce and feature showrooms where the product is sold. After visiting a fish sauce factory, and seeing the making of premium fish sauce, you can buy fish sauce, dried seafood or pepper as souvenirs.
Must-see: The famous Bay Gao Rose Myrtle Wine Factory (124 Ba Muoi Thang Tu Street, Duong Dong Town), located near many famous fish sauce factories.
Where to eat: Many famous restaurants are located on Ba Muoi Thang Tu Street in Duong Dong Town: Song Xanh, Zen, Trung Duong Marina and Ra Khoi Restaurant.
5. Phu Quoc Pepper Farm – Learn about the island’s famous pepper
Phu Quoc pepper is famous for its pungent taste and aroma, which is much stronger than most other pepper from elsewhere. Stepping on a lush pepper farm you are welcomed by the overwhelming aroma of the sea of red ripe pepper covering the fields.
Top Tips: The areas with the most pepper farms are Ganh Gio Hamlet and Suoi Da Hamlet, Suoi May Hamlet with the best-known pepper farm being Khu Tuong, located about 15 kilometres north of Duong Dong Town. Learn about the farming techniques used to grow this Phu Quoc speciality. You can also buy dried peppercorns as souvenirs for your family and friends.
Where to eat: Most pepper farms provide dining services, or you can return to Duong Dong Town for dinner.
6. Phu Quoc Pearl Farm – Shop for real pearl jewellery
Pearl is famous produce of Phu Quoc and visitors to Phu Quoc can learn all about the farming of it. Phu Quoc used to have four large pearl farms, but only one, the Ngoc Hien pearl farm in Duong To, is still in operation.
Top Tips: Learn about the meticulous process of growing and harvesting pearls and buy a variety of jewellery made from white, black, rose, or gold pearls, or cosmetics made from pearl powder as souvenirs.
Where to eat: Along Tran Hung Dao Street, toward Duong Dong Town, there are many restaurants including Cami Restaurant, Baikal Phu Quoc, F5, Su Coffee and Ballroom Salinda.
7. Coi Nguon Museum – Learn about the history and culture of the island
This museum is the keeper of Phu Quoc’s history, with over 3,000 artefacts, including 300 precious sets of documents written in Chinese, Vietnamese, English and French on display. Covering an area of 1,200 square metres, the museum has five floors, each with the differently themed exhibit. Level one showcases Phu Quoc’s natural history. Level two is dedicated to the history of the island’s discovery and protection. Level three is home to antique potteries. Level four is an exhibition of shipwrecks found in the waters around Phu Quoc, and level five features display about the island’s culture.
Top Tips: The museum is located at 149 Chan Hung Dao Street, Neighbourhood 7, Duong Dong Town. Travellers should visit the exhibitions of art created from driftwood and seashells, the conservation centres for ridgeback dogs and eagles.
Where to eat: Coi Nguon Restaurant is located inside the museum. They serve seafood and host live traditional music performances.
8. Duong Dong Market – Shop for Phu Quoc specialities
Located in Duong Dong Town, this is the largest market on Phu Quoc. The market is always busy, filled with buyers and sellers, and the atmosphere fascinates visitors.
Top Tips: The market has an indoor and an outdoor area. Inside, you can find a wide variety of goods, from household items to souvenirs and seafood specialities. The outside area is dedicated to selling fresh seafood, including sardinella, barracuda, cobia, needlefish and squid.
Where to eat: Anh Vu Restaurant (No. 79 Nguyen Trung Truc), Pizza Regina (No. 28 Bach Dang), Bun Quay Kien Xay (Bach Dang Street) and Thu Hanh’s noodles.
Fringed with white-sand beaches and with large tracts still cloaked in dense, tropical jungle, Phu Quoc rapidly morphed from a sleepy island backwater to a must-visit beach escape for Western expats and sun-seeking tourists. Wanderlust Tips October issue has introduced 8 places of this Island which is great to visit in the morning.
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1. Ganh Dau Cape: A beauty of golden forest and silver sea
Ganh Dau Cape is located northwest of Phu Quoc island, attracting tourists with its unspoiled natural beauty. The 500-meter-long beach is curved like a crescent moon and protected by mountains on both sides, resembling the wings of a seabird. The smooth white sand, the blue waves gently embracing the beach, the clear blue water allowing you to see the bottom of the ocean, and the relaxing fresh air are all on offer here. At Ganh Dau Cape, you can immerse yourself in the stunning ocean surrounding Phu Quoc while exploring the pristine primary forest.
Top Tips: To reach Ganh Dau Cape, you have to travel across Cua Duong and Cua Van, travel over 20 kilometres across a red dirt road between the primary forests of Phu Quoc, pass Nguyen Trung Truc Temple, and continue going Northwest, until you reach Ganh Dau Beach in Ganh Dau Commune.
Where to eat: Bien Hai Restaurant, Quy Map beef hotpot, Long Phung Restaurant, or visit the nearby Ganh Dau Market.
2. Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc: An entertainment paradise for visitors of all ages
Covering an area of over 170,000 square metres in Long Beach, Phu Quoc Vinpearl Land boasts a waterpark, an aquarium, an outdoor amusement park, a cinema, street food, a shopping centre and a castle. Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc also hosts a variety of artistic performances including water musicals, dolphin shows, mermaid shows and street festivals, which add to Vinpearl Land’s reputation as an entertainment paradise on Phu Quoc.
Top Tips: Tickets are 500,000 VND per adult, 400,000VND per child under 140 centimetres tall or adults over 60, and free for children less than 1 metre. To book, contact: +84 776 567 505.
Must-see: Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc.
Where to eat: There is a choice of street food dishes available in Phu Quoc Vinpearl Land.
3. Tranh Stream – Total relaxation in a natural green space
Tranh Stream is a beautiful natural painting showcasing the forests and the mountains on Phu Quoc. The stream is made up of many small streams, creeping through the forest and the mountains and colliding with rocky cliffs to create soft, white waterfalls. With its charming natural scenery, Tranh Stream is the ideal location to camp, host picnics, swim in the stream, or simply relax.
Top Tips: Tranh Stream is located about 9 kilometres south of Duong Dong Town, and is part of the Suoi May Hamlet in Duong To Commune.
Must-see: A bat cave is located about 200 metres up the mountain. It is roughly 50 metres deep, and home to numerous beautiful stalactites.
Where to eat: You can bring your own food and water or make use of the resort facilities.
4. Sao Beach – Phu Quoc’s most beautiful beach
Sao Beach is home to a 7-kilometre coastline covered by smooth white sand and hugged by two surrounding mountain ranges which isolate it from the rest of the world, thus giving the beach serenity and fresh air. Bai Sao (or Star Beach) owes its name to the starfish that used to cover the beach and the ocean here every night. Swim, fish, or go snorkelling.
Top Tips: Sao Beach is located on the Southern part of Phu Quoc, about 28 kilometres from Duong Dong Town. You can rent a motorbike or take a taxi to get here.
Must-see: Nearby Khem Beach.
Where to eat: Enjoy fresh seafood at any of the beach restaurants here: Paradiso Restaurant, Ai Xiem Restaurant, The Beach House, Long Beach Club.
A number of small islets are located Southwest of Phu Quoc, these include: Dua Island, Roi Island, Thom Island, Vang Island, Xuong Island, Gam Ghi Island, Mong Tay Island and May Rut Island. These islets are unaffected by human life so nature here is completely unspoiled and made up of turquoise blue water, smooth white sand, spectacular mountains and lush forests.
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Top Tips: You can rent a boat to visit these islets. These islets still lack tourism services, so you should bring your own food and water, or eat on the boat. If you choose to eat on the islets remember to respect nature and clean up after yourself before you leave.
Where to eat: you can buy fresh seafood including sea urchins, abalone and herring from floating fish farms and ask the boat owners to prepare the food for you.
6. Phu Quoc Prison – Proof of the barbaric crimes of imperialist aggressors.
Covering an area of about 400 hectares, Phu Quoc Prison (locally known as the Coconut Tree Prison) was the largest detention centre for communist soldiers in South Vietnam. Learn more about the barbaric crimes of colonialism and imperialist aggression and the valiant struggle of Vietnamese revolutionaries. Phu Quoc Prison was named a National Historic Site in 1996 and a Special National Historical Site in March 2015. Watch documentaries about the prison and see models, artefacts, remnants and replications of the brutal torture that communist soldiers suffered here.
Top Tips: Phu Quoc Prison is located in Cay Dua Hamlet in An Thoi Commune, in the Southernmost area of Phu Quoc.
Must-see: Phu Quoc Prison martyrs’ monument
Where to eat: Nang Va Gio Phu Quoc Restaurant, Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Restaurant, Ai Xiem Restaurant, Paradiso Restaurant
7. Rach Vem fishing village – Peaceful and relaxing moments
Located in the north of Phu Quoc, Rach Vem is a small and quiet fishing village, home to only 170 households, most of which is made up of fishermen. The beach here is the most pristine on the island, with clear blue water kissing the shore, small wooden houses decorating the beach under the shades of coconut trees and a cool ocean wind, which adds to the peaceful surroundings. Rent a boat to go sightseeing offshore, and ask the boat owners to cook some delicious fresh seafood for you. Enjoying seafood in the middle of the vast ocean will truly be a memorable experience, sure to make you forget about all worries and fatigue.
Top Tips: Rach Vem village is located about 20 kilometres from Duong Dong Town. You can get here by motorbike or taxi.
Where to eat: Enjoy fresh seafood in the fishing village.
8. Ho Quoc Pagoda – A sacred space
Also known as Truc Lam Ho Quoc, Ho Quoc Pagoda leans against the majestic Dang Mountain and faces the ocean, which makes the surrounding natural scenery charming and gorgeous. The pagoda was built following the architecture style of the Ly and the Tran Dynasties, which makes it striking yet peaceful and sacred. The pagoda was built entirely from ironwood and features an altar to worship the three men, similar to temples in Northern Vietnam.
Top Tips: From Duong Dong Town, you can travel toward Phu Quoc prison. The pagoda is located about one kilometre from Sao Beach, to the left.
Where to eat: On your way back, you can stop by Cua Ap (Duong To, Long Beach), where there are many famous restaurants including Ballroom Salinda, Baika Phu Quoc, Nemo, Wing and Phu Quoc Su Café.
Cocktail with its variety has become the queen among drinks. Wanderlust Tips magazine would like to introduce to you the best cocktails made specially for love.
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Legend has it, that the creation of cocktails was an act of love. As the story goes, a few centuries ago in New York, there was a very popular pub, which owed its good name to the witty owner and the special drinks mixed by his daughter, Peggy. Many men chased her, but she fell in love with a sailor. After a trip across the ocean, he returned to ask for her hand in marriage, in an unusual fashion: He presented her with a rooster, which he had received along with his promotion.
On their wedding night, the rooster playfully jumped on the couple’s bed, let out a cock-a-doodle-doo and shed a feather from his tail. Amused, Peggy put the feather on the drink she had made for her new husband, and called it a ‘cocktail’, supposed to symbolise a great and happy start to their marriage. The drink gradually gained popularity and was reinterpreted in uncountable ways. Below are a few “cocktails of love” Wanderlust Tips recommends warmly to lovebirds.
Pink Lady – The charming cocktail
If you’re dating a beautiful girl, a Pink Lady will help you express your feelings without saying a word. The Pink Lady is believed to have gotten its name from a Broadway musical. Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield, a 1950’s sex symbol, was known to enjoy a Pink Lady before her meals. Thanks to her, the drink is often associated with sophisticated and elegant women.
The Pink Lady’s charming colour is reminiscent of a true Mademoiselle. With a Pink Lady in hand, every woman seems more beautiful and sophisticated. Her eyes shine brighter, and her cheeks turn rosy thanks to the sweet taste of pomegranate and the hot sensation of gin. Every moment with her becomes more thrilling and precious.
Recipe
Gin: 45 mil
Apple cider: 22.5 mil
Pomegranate syrup: 15 mil
Lemonade: 7.5 mil
One egg white
Kiss on the Lips
A kiss is the sweet, indispensable spice of love. There are many legends about the origin of the kiss, but the oldest tales trace it to India, as mentioned in the Indian epic “Mahabharata”, written around 1,500 BC, in which the following line appears: “She put her mouth on mine, and it gave me a lightheaded feeling.”
Historians believe that at the time, romantic kisses were still a novelty to the whole world. When Alexander the Great visited India, he was amused by this practice, and brought the tradition to the West. This isn’t however the only story of when people started exchanging kisses to express their love.
Inspired by love, Kiss on the Lips was invented for lovers. Peach and mango blend with pomegranate to create the perfect blend of flavours, just like the sweet taste of a lover’s lips. The passionate sensation can melt your heart.
Recipe
Peach Schnapp’s Liqueur: 45 mil
Mango Mix: 150 mil
Pomegranate syrup: 15 mil
P.S.: I Love You
Anyone who has read “P.S.: I love you”, the book that made Cecelia Ahern’s career, has dreamed of a love like Gerry and Holly’s.
Despite having passed away, Gerry is present in Holly’s life by way of his letters, all with the postscript: “I love you.” Gerry’s love and encouragement help Holly overcome the pain of losing him and continue on to find happiness again.
If you have a love like that, or if you want to confess your love to someone, a glass of P.S.: I Love You delivers your message in a simple yet elegant manner. Many even surprise propose their loved one by dropping an engagement ring in the glass. The sweet taste of Baileys combined with cream, almond and the slightly bitter taste of coffee to represents the different emotions of love. The world will disappear around you, and the only things left will be two people in love.
Recipe
Baileys: 25 mil
Amaretto almond and vanilla liqueur: 20 mil
Rum: 15 mil
Coffee liqueur: 15 mil
Cream: 20 mil
A few thin slices of chocolate for decoration
Sex on the Beach
Fresh red margarita cocktail with hearts over gray background, valentine day concepts
Many people are surprised when they learn that the voluptuous name of this drink originated with a joke.
In the summer of 1987 in Florida, USA, known for its beautiful beaches and extravagant parties, a young bartender called Ted participated in a cocktail-mixing competition. He created a new delicious drink, of a pink-orange colour hue, decorated with a few slices of orange. When asked to name the drink, he replied Sex on the Beach, as there are only two reasons to visit Florida in the summer: the beach and love.
The recipe varies from bar to bar, but Sex on the Beach is now a popular cocktail around the world. It is indispensable at every beach party or poolside bar. Wherever you are, after a sip of this cocktail, you will fall in love.
Would you put your vintage Belarusian Minsk motorcycle up on a bus, and travel over 500 kilometres across the rugged Northwestern highlands to chase a legend? Young Polish American filmmaker Matt Dworzanczyk would and it is how he starts the journey he takes in the documentary “Vibrant Highland, Commercial Love”. The film was published on YouTube in early August.
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“Vibrant Highland, Commercial Love” is Dworzanczyk’s latest documentary. The film’s US$7,500 production was completed in late 2014, and was honoured as Best Documentary Feature at the World Indie Film Festival San Francisco in 2015. Since then, the film has had several screenings in Vietnam for select audiences.
The journey of a legend
At Khau Vai Love Market people whisper to each other a story, or rather a legend that has been passed down for generations. It states that lovers who cannot be together can meet once a year at the Love Market and spend a day together in love and reliving old memories
If you have heard the story, your heart will melt when you see this documentary. The spectacular mountain ranges of Northern Vietnam captured in wide frames is complemented by a romantic yet tragic love story told in a whisper by a wise woman and accompanied by the sound of traditional panpipes. The documentary further illustrates the story with animation, which adds intrigue to the story.
During the course of the film, the legend itself starts fading into the background, and at times, the Love Market, the main theme of the documentary, is drowned out by the countless stories of the people featured. To film these stories, the crew did not miss any opportunities to talk and get acquainted with the local people.
Ms. Mui, of the Nung ethic group, retells the story of meeting her now husband at the Love Market and getting married to him. Her voice is muffled when she talks about starting a family, making a living, and building her house. After her husband passed away, she opened a small restaurant to serve tourists in the house that she and her husband built together. Mr. Pao and his wife amusingly recount the moment they met, blushing and giggling when they remember the moment they first held hands. Young H’mong couple Do and Dung, only in their 20s, share their struggle of losing both children and cattle.
The Love Market is a prominent feature on the posters and in articles promoting Ha Giang tourism, but it is little known to people in Khau Vai and does not even have a name in the H’mong language, a fact that may disappoint viewers. The main attraction of the film though are the mountains of Northwestern Vietnam, which glisten in their most vibrant colours and are home to warm human stories.
Two years, seven trips, numerous corners
I was confused, as Matt himself was, when thirty minutes into the film, the Love Market fades behind other stories.
They went looking for one legend, but Matt and his crew found another. In Sa Phin, Dong Van covered in the mysterious clouds they stumble across the legend of the H’Mong King Vuong Chinh Duc, whose home stills exists as a tourist spot, nestled in the rugged mountains. And as the legend of the Love Market fades into the background, stories of local lives take centre stage.
The stories range from heart breaking to scary, like the story of 30-year-old Ms. Ze, whose two sisters were kidnapped. And there are stories of people who are stuck, struggling to find escape a misunderstood fate, like the story of a gay H’mong living under the constant pressure of his family, advising him to seek medication to cure his “disease”.
Over the course of two years the crew completed seven trips to the Northwestern Highlands and the locals started to recognise the white boy with dreadlocks on a vintage motorbike carrying cameras and asking for stories everywhere he went.
Matt set out to tell real stories of real people. “Maybe the tradition is lost and replaced by tourism, maybe it was never real,” he says in the film: “What is real are the people – their lives, even if painful, much more fascinating than the legends told.”
I love the beautiful cinematography, the shots of muddy, winding roads that Matt and his crew passed on their journey and the wet concrete road after heavy rain, blocked by ethnic people and their herds of buffalos. From up high, the winding roads seem like brushstrokes decorating the rolling mountains. There is joy in hearing stories told by H’Mong people in their native language, which is lovely, lyrical.
Matt does not understand why a legend has to be told to promote tourism, when the real people and their lives are much more interesting.
It is true. Ha Giang is already incredibly attractive without this legend. I asked Tra, a friend of mine who has been to the province five times, but not once stopped by the Love Market what she made of this: “Ha Giang is especially beautiful during the flower season,” she said. “I have been there five times, and only stopped by Meo Vac for a short time, because this place has been commercialised by the tourism industry. If you really want to see the local life, you have to go deep into the villages. Everything is beautiful in Ha Giang: the dew, the winding hills, especially during the season of buckwheat and chamomile flowers. If you visit then, there is no place to stay, not even at a local’s home.”
The ending of the film is somewhat unsatisfying, especially for those who are still fascinated by the legend. I felt vaguely worried, when I saw a White H’mong who looks no different than a Kinh person, hear a famous song about Hanoi sung in the Northwest mountain, or learn that the main attraction of the Love Market seems to be a Westerner with a camera.
This reminds me of Tu Ne, a small village in Hoa Binh, whose culture and practice have been washed out my Kinh culture. And then one day, the arrival of the Kinh and Westerners brought less poverty and a return to living a more local culture, with stilt houses, traditional costumes, distinct languages, and specialised craft.
About Matt Dworzanczyk
Thirty-year-old Matt Dworzanczyk is an independent filmmaker born in Poland. He grew up in the United States, where he studied filmmaking. He is best known for his fantasy film “Marlin”, which won “Best Editing” at the Canadian International Film Festival in 2010. His documentary “DPRK: The Land of Whispers” has over 2.5 million views on YouTube and won Best Feature Film at the Third World Indie Film Festival.
Uganda is well known not only for being home to gorillas and the great Lake Victoria but for being a charming, romantic land where the Nile river springs from.
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My journey across Africa has almost come to an end. I had a great time discovering some of the biggest national parks in the world, where wild animals live freely in their natural habitat. Though on this journey I was also confronted with the dark side of the Black Continent: poverty, famine, deteriorated roads, disease, and even rebels rage in some countries of the region. The places I passed through provided me with lasting memories. Peaceful Tanzania with the transcendent island Zanzibar – a beautiful harmony of man and nature – and Kenya, home to many exotic animals. I cannot believe how lucky I have been to witness the diversity and abundance of species that I had previously only seen on animal documentaries. These animals hunt, run, mate, and breed amidst the environmental problems that the continent is currently facing. The journey finally brought me to Uganda, famous not only for being home to gorillas and the great Lake Victoria but for being a charming, romantic land where the Nile river springs from.
Finding love in Murchison Park, Uganda
From Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, I hopped on a bus to travel up north to visit the famous Murchison National Park, where the Murchison waterfall plummets into the great Nile river of Africa. I covered over 300 kilometers. I left behind the cities and their modern buildings to be greeted by grassland and ancient flax trees, which only grow here. The roads in Uganda are smaller than those in its neighboring East African countries but are smooth enough to drive at high speeds. Occasionally, the driver stopped along the road for me to capture beautiful landscapes, dirt houses, or wild animals gnawing on dry grass on the red-brown hills. Located on the equator, Uganda is warmer than its neighboring countries, thanks to the high winds coming from the ocean. However, in the region of Lake Victoria in the country’s south, the weather is cooler and especially pleasant towards the end of the year.
After more than five hours on the bus, I finally reached the Nile, the longest river in the world, which runs through ten African countries. I didn’t choose to stay in luxury hotels or fully equipped bungalows, but rented a camping spot and pitched my tent provided by the bus at a rental price of only US$7. The bus driver advised me to lock the tent carefully, and not to leave food inside, or wild monkeys or hogs might pay me a visit at nighttime. The open camp space is located at the center of Murchinson National Park. There is no fence, so visitors get to live among the animals. That afternoon, we rushed to the river to catch the last boat trip down the Nile river to Murchinson falls.
Our experienced guide told us many stories about the animal species living along the Nile. Herds of hippos made up of a few hundred individuals bathing in the water made me feel as if I was part of a documentary on the Discovery Channel. Giant elephants and herds of African buffalos sunbath along the river, and colorful birds nest on the cliffside. Combined they create a peaceful and tranquil natural environment. Once, our guide motioned for us to stay silent and watch the riverside, and I was astonished to see giant Nile crocodiles with their mouths open, waiting for prey. Detecting the motion and noise of the boat approaching them, some dove down to the water, hoping for a juicy meal. The animals here live together peacefully without any threats. After 45 minutes, our boat finally approached the Murchison fall, its water roaring and plunging down into the river. The large body of water poured down from above, flowing through vertical cliffs, ancient forests, and the surrounding mountains to merge with the Nile. If the river was peaceful enough for herds of hippos to bathe downstream, this part of the river seemed angry thanks to the giant waves caused by the water hitting giant rocks in the river. The boat docked on a large rock so its passengers could enjoy the view of the waterfall from a distance
We returned to the Red Chilli campsite at dusk, the last sunlight of the day dyeing Murchison’s forest red. The campsite was busy preparing for dinner. Some Western travelers chose to face the Nile while enjoying a glass of white wine next to their barbeque. The bus driver and I struggled to kindle some coal fire to quickly cook some beef ramen, a Vietnamese specialty I brought from home, and then danced to the melodious tunes emanating from the bar area, located at the center of the campsite.
Darkness settled quickly, and the temperature dropped, bringing with it a cool night air. The golden moon was right above us, seemingly close enough to touch if I reached my hands out far enough. I stopped dead when suddenly I heard some rustle in the bushes, sounding like a wild animal hiding. Moments later, people across the campsite had their flashlights out, ready to find out what was hiding in the darkness. It turned out that a herd of wild boars was looking for food. It was quite a scare, but also an interesting experience of living in the wild.
The next morning, we departed the campsite quite early to witness some predators hunting in the wild. Soon after passing the Nile on a ferry, a sparse forest with tall trees and grasslands appeared. The roof of our car opened to welcome cool winds, and I took the opportunity to take some photos. The car passed through grass hills filled with deer and stags, fondly playing together by the trees. Upon the hills, I could see many other species such as warthogs, giraffes, ostriches, and pheasants all living together peacefully. I felt at one with nature. When I held up my camera and whistled at the deer, they looked at me curiously, as if they wanted to follow me home. Herds of buffalo made up of a few hundred animals grazed on the grasslands, white storks riding on their backs, waving their ears as if to welcome visitors. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to see leopards hunting on the trees in Murchison. However, what I did witness was enough to paint a wild picture rarely seen anywhere else.
Jinja, upstream the Nile river, Uganda
The next day, I decided to travel South to visit Lake Victoria, one of the seven wonders of Africa, and travel upstream along the Nile river. Located 80 kilometers from the capital city of Kampala, the town of Jinja is filled with tourists from all over the world, who are here to experience adventure sports on the Nile river. My driver took me to a local travel agency to start my journey along the longest river on earth. Jinja is a small tourist town in Uganda, located on the riverside. South of the river is Lake Victoria, and up North is where the river merges into the great Nile. In this particular region, the river has a lot of rapids and is a few hundred meters wide, which makes the waves greater and more challenging.
Thanks to this, there are many adventure sports on offer. If you want to try navigating the rapids, there is a crew there to support, guide, and even capture some once-in-a-lifetime photos for you. When I asked my South African guide about the difficulties of the sports he answered: “We have different options for different people. If you are adventurous and healthy, we can guide you through big rapids with steep slopes, which can really surprise and challenge you.” The surprise, my driver explained to me, turned out to be that the boat could flip so these thrill-seekers would fall into the strong waves. I chose to kayak along the river to feel the peaceful atmosphere of people and nature on the calm side of the Nile.
Today, some Ugandans also make their living from the Nile. In this region, men fish, farm, or work as tour guides, while women take care of children, do housework, and produce handicraft products to sell to tourists in Jinja. My guide shared that even though life was still tough here, hardly anyone hunted wild animals. They understood that wildlife had brought them their livelihoods, bringing an increasing number of tourists here.
The region is home to many unusual species of birds including white eagles. They stand lonely on tall trees on the small islands in the river, waiting for their prey. Other species, like robins and bluebirds, travel in flocks and make nests together in the rocks. Black and white kingfishers stretching out their wings and diving down quickly when they spot prey fascinated me. I spent three hours floating along the Nile river to absorb the peaceful harmony between nature and human life. This place seems like the birthplace of great things.
Tombs of the Kasubi kings in Kasubi, Uganda
The tombs of the Kasubi kings are a threatened heritage located about 5 kilometers from the capital city of Kampala, atop Kasubi Hill. I spent an afternoon here to learn about the feudal history of Uganda. These tombs and the palace are the epitomes of ancient African architecture. They are all made of reeds, spears, and wild animal products.
The ticket agent guided me around the heritage area including royal tombs and the burial place of four Buganda kings (formerly Kabaka): Muteesa I (1835-1884), Mwanga II (1867-1903), Daudi Chwa II (1896-1939), and Sir Edward Muteesa II (1924-1969). She led me into a complex of traditional buildings, displaying artifacts used for worship in ancient tribal ceremonies. According to the guide, the tombs were first built on the site of the Mutesa I royal cemetery in 1882. According to Bagandan tradition, after a king passes, his jaw is removed and placed in a separate royal temple, as it is believed that the jaw carries the soul. However, when Kabaka Mutesa I passed away, he was buried in his palace along with his jaw. His son Mwanga II wanted to follow the footsteps of his father and when he died on the Seychelles Islands, his body was brought back to his home country and buried next to his father. Mwanga II also had a son, Daudi Chwa II, who died in 1939. He too was respectably buried at this tomb. Daudi Chwa’s son, Edward Mutesa, took his place at a time of turbulence. He became the first president of Uganda. After a lifetime of achievements, he passed away in London. His body was buried alongside his father’s and ancestors’.
The guide led me further inside to visit the tombs. Makeshift houses are interspersed with brick houses, which serve as the homes of the kings’ descendants and concubines. These royal descendants of the feudal regime are still supported by the Ugandan government, receiving food, medicine, and education. Their lives are frugal. Women who were once concubines and the descendants of the kings come here to take care of their ancestor’s graves. They live inside the tombs as if it was a forbidden city. Unfortunately, on March 16, 2010, a mysterious fire completely destroyed the main area.
Tips
Travelling in Uganda
– Visa: For the Vietnamese, the government of Uganda accepts e-visa. You can apply online at the website: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ to receive an electronic visa through email.
– Accommodation: Like its neighboring countries, safari tourism is highly developed in Uganda. You can book accommodation directly on booking.com or agoda.com to stay at expensive and modern resorts, with beautiful views of wildlife habitats. The Jacana Safari Lodge, located on Lake Nyamusingire (the largest volcanic lake in Uganda) is a great choice. For the romantics, a stay at the Mihingo Hotel to enjoy a beautiful view of the lake in Mburo National Park is recommended. Alternatively, you can stay at campsites with bungalows or tents available for rent at a lower cost.
– Transportation: You can use public transport when in Uganda, from local buses to high-end buses. In the capital city of Kampala, you can catch international buses to visit big cities in neighboring countries. There are bus routes directly from Kampala to Nairobi, Kigali, Bujumbura, Goma, Juba, or Dar es Salaam. You can also be dropped off in other cities along the routes. A typical journey from Kampala to Nairobi is about 12 hours, including time for customs procedures at the border of Gaza.
– What to eat: The traditional luwombo is a combination of meat, vegetables, and occasionally peanut butter, steamed in banana leaves. You can easily find this specialty in restaurants across Uganda.
– Shopping: You can buy local handicrafts as souvenirs such as carpets and hand-woven baskets made of Napier grass and palm leaves. These are sold along the street as well as at craft markets.
– What to see before you visit: You should see the film “The Last King of Scotland,” released in 2006. The story chronicles the rise and fall of the Idi Amin dictatorship. This was the first international film shot entirely in Uganda, with beautiful sequences capturing the wildlife and people here. For his role as Idi Amin in the film, American actor Forest Whitaker won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for best actor in 2007.
Must-sees in Uganda
– Ajai Game Reserve in Northern Uganda is located on the east bank of the Albert Nile.
– Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is where you can visit the great gorillas, rare Colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many species of birds.
– Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located at the confluence of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is also the place to visit gorillas and many wildlife species of Africa.
– Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the Northeast of Uganda on the border with South Sudan. You can relax inside Apoka Lodge resort among wild animals including elephants, zebras, buffalos, and deer.
– Murchison Falls National Park is the place to visit primates, wild animals, and birds.
– Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park to see native plants, antelopes, and hippos.
– Kibale National Forest near Fort Portal is where you can visit chimpanzees and go bird watching.
– Rwenzori National Park is a mountain range in Western Uganda bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and is home to the 5,109-metre tall Stanley peak.
– Ssese Island in Lake Victoria is home to many rare plant species.
I have known Nam Chay for a while and I was surprised when one day, this carefree 80’s kid’s Facebook status changed from “Single” to “In a Relationship.” And the surprise only grew when I saw his travel photos now included a beautiful girl as he had once insisted: “I only like to travel alone.”
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It seems this lone traveller has found a travel and life partner after all.
From follower to girlfriend, and a journey together
Curious, I started my interview with the couple by asking how they met. Nam responded to my question quite comfortably, saying that they met in early 2015. “Xoa followed me on Facebook to check out my travel photos,” he said: “and then she started sending me private messages asking for travel advice and we started talking. After a while, we started liking each other so we met in person. We officially started dating in November 2015, when we visited Moc Chau in Ta Xua with two other friends. We knew we liked each other then, and that’s why we decided to go on this trip.”
Nam is an experienced traveller and has told me many a time about this travels, so it is definitely reassuring to have him as a companion. Xoa, although less experienced, has travelled with friends many times and learned very quickly. Seeing that this 90’s girl was active and knew how to enjoy life while still respecting nature, Nam knew that she was not only a good travel companion but had the qualities of a life partner too. Someone who loves travel like Chay needs a girlfriend who is understanding and shares the same passion, so they can travel together. Xoa has all of these traits.
Inevitably, love grew between them. Although they have been together for less than a year, they have already travelled together five times. Familiar destinations like Moc Chau, Ta Xua, Ha Giang, Sapa and Lao Cai, popular with “professional” backpackers, have all been imprinted with the footsteps of this couple. Xoa shared that she has travelled with her friends many times before, but she had never travel as ‘thoroughly” as with Nam. It’s also more comfortable to travel with Nam, she says, because she feels safe given that Nam already knows all of their destinations by heart. Together, the two were able to discover their destinations anew.
Some people still refer to women as “the weaker sex”, so I asked Xoa if she feels tired after moving around so much. Nam interrupted, laughing: “She’s probably stronger than I am,” he said, “when we visited Lung Khuy cave in Ha Giang Province, we had to walk for a long time. I was tired and out of breath, but she walked tirelessly.”
A kiss in the snow
As much as this couple likes to travel, they never really plan their trips ahead of time. Nam likes to travel spontaneously, and Xoa says no to an adventure, which means that when inspiration strikes, they pack and just start driving. It seems that their travel is a magic matchmaker because each trip teaches them something new about each other and creates more empathy between them.
Xoa says that Nam seems tough on the outside, but after getting to know him, she learned that he can be sensitive and loving. Despite being a quiet guy who never says anything cheesy, he pays a lot of attention to the little things. People often dream of running away with their partners, but Nam and Xoa don’t dream of these things, they make it happen. Stargazing, admiring the sunrise, sunset, or sharing a sweet kiss in the snow. They have done it all.
In early 2016, Sapa witnessed a historic snowfall. The event inspired the couple to catch a bus to visit the misty town. Xoa had never experienced anything as cold before, so Nam advised her to bring a lot of warm clothes, non-slippery shoes, and heating pads. In all their pictures, she looks a bit rounder than usual, thanks to all the layers of clothes she is wearing.
Nam is no stranger to Sapa, and he has seen snow here once before. However, witnessing beautiful heavy snow next to his new love made everything more significant. This was the perfect background for the photos of them kissing in the snow. Nam said that this is not like any other great memory, because the two snowy days in Sapa made him think about starting a family with Xoa.
In September, the two finally tied the knot. To prepare for the main event, the two visited Danang to take their pre-wedding photos. And they took the time to wander around Danang and visit Hue for one whole week and Xoa visited places she had never been to before.
A cross-country honeymoon
Unlike most other couples who prefer a nice, relaxing honeymoon, Nam planned a cross-country trip for them right after the wedding. The trip was to last between 20 and 30 days. They had planned to ship their bikes to Danang and then fly there, and then travel by bike from Danang to Saigon, across the coastal highway of South and Central Vietnam, followed by a trip to the Southwest to cross the border to Cambodia, before making their way back to Hanoi via the Central Highlands.
When I heard of this, I exclaimed: “This sounds more like torture than a honeymoon.” Of course, Chay refuted immediately, saying that it comes down to an individual’s perspective. The journey he planned allowed the couple to experience the beauty across Vietnam and would be the perfect mark for their first few days of marriage and the end of their single lives.
Of course, this journey was not to be as miserable as it might sound to less adventurous travellers. In big cities, they stayed at hotels. On small islands, they slept at homestay or resorts. In small provinces, they asked locals to house them at their homes. They improvised depending on the circumstances and never booked anything beforehand. For years, they have travelled freely and spontaneously, so this journey for them as easy as eating their wedding cake. This would probably not be the same for inexperienced travellers or couples who do not have a passion for travelling. A journey like this could stress out amateurs.
I asked the couple about their future travel plans now that they have started their life together and after their spectacular honeymoon. Nam laughed and shared that he thought marriage would limit his freedom, but having met his amazing travel companion and new wife, he has nothing to worry about. Of course, marriage life poses its challenges, but the two promised each other to travel even more to keep their shared passion alive for years to come.
On a sand dune in Mui Ne Province, Jon Myers gently smiles and kisses his fiancé’s forehead as a camera flash goes off. At this very moment, the American entrepreneur feels more like a movie star. The romantic settings of pre-wedding photo shoots are familiar to Vietnamese couples, but for Jon, the experience is a novelty. “If I wasn’t marrying a Vietnamese woman, I would never have had this unique experience,” he says enthusiastically.
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Jon is not the only Western groom in for a delightful surprise when their soon-to-be bride talked about pre-wedding photos; an alien concept in the West.
An interesting experience
Italian groom Marco Servetto shared that in Europe wedding photos are only taken on day of the couple’s wedding, at the church or the reception. Nobody takes their wedding photos before their big day and at a different location. When his now wife mentioned the Vietnamese tradition, he asked: “Why would you want to take photos before the wedding takes place, and the couple is not yet husband and wife?”
After his wife explained the tradition though, Marco understood that pre-wedding photos are an indispensable part of every Vietnamese wedding. Many couples thoroughly research and plan the perfect wedding album. “This is quite strange to my culture, but it’s an interesting experience. I love my Vietnamese bride, and I want to respect her culture and make her happy,” he says.
Australian groom Antonio Pudney and British groom Sean Lawlor are fascinated by the tradition and see the logic in the custom. In Western countries, wedding photos are taken on the actual wedding day, when the couple is exhausted and it’s a challenge to get the perfect shoot. And as wedding photos are taken at the church or reception, every couple’s photos look similar. “It’s always the couple standing in front of a church, or a water fountain. And then the couple and their parents next to the fountain. And then the couple and their relatives next to the fountain,” Sean shares humorously.
This is why taking the time to shoot pre-wedding photos is an excellent idea. The couple has more time to prepare, has assistance, and can travel to exotic places to take photos in the most beautiful settings.
A new experience
A beautiful wedding album takes a lot of time, effort, and skills, as many Western groom have discovered.
First, the couple needs to pick the right photographer. Then, they need to choose a location. “Both of these are quite difficult, because Vietnam has hundreds of skilled photographers, and beautiful scenery everywhere, so it’s hard to choose,” says Antonio.
After a lot of researching and consulting with their friends and colleagues, Antonio and his bride chose the highland city of Dalat, famous for its fresh air, beautiful flowers, sun-filled valleys and endless pine hills. The setting alone could make strangers fall in love. Antonio and his fiancé fell in love with this beautiful city and decided to move to Dalat after having created their perfect pre-wedding album there.
Like Antonio, Jon and his bride also took their time to find a location for their pre-wedding album. They love the ocean, and Vietnam has endless resources of beautiful beaches, each with its own unique beauty. After much consideration, the two chose Mui Ne, as its blue sea, white sand dunes, bright sunshine, and peaceful fishing villages make for the ultimate romantic photos.
Meanwhile, in the crowded capital city of Hanoi, Sean and his bride found that the city’s charming street corners encapsulate their love story perfectly. The Old Quarter, Long Bien Bridge, the Opera House, St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Red River’s rock plains have all added unique characteristics to their wedding photos.
More recently, numerous wedding photo studios offering backdrops of Europe, Japan, or beaches and flower fields have opened up. A few popular choices include Smiley Ville Studio in Dong Anh, Hanoi, Lavender Park Studio and Long Bien Flower Prairie.
The attire worn for photo shoots fascinates many Western grooms. They enjoy seeing their beautiful brides in different dresses. Unlike wedding photos in their own countries, Vietnamese pre-wedding photos hoots often last at least one day, so the bride has time to change into a variety of outfits. For many grooms, the most beautiful aspect of the whole process may just be seeing their beloved in the traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai, complementing the elegant beauty of Vietnamese women.
After careful preparation, it’s time for the two main characters to play their part in their very own romantic movie.
“You become the centre of the universe, as everyone is looking at you. If you are a shy person and cannot act naturally in front of a camera, it’s best to practice in front of a mirror, or you will have to redo most scenes over and over,” says Sean. “At first, I felt really unnatural, and even dizzy because of the cameramen’s instructions. They kept saying: ‘Look at the sky, now look at the bride, now look at the tree, good, you’re in love, good.’ I started feeling like a robot,” he recalls.
If a romantic setting isn’t all you want, you also have the choice of starring in your own action movie. Marco and his bride, for example, wanted to act out Titanic’s Jack and Rose on the sinking ship. But once the ship started to sink, they were not brave enough to see it through. Sean and his bride took photos of their love while on a bike on Long Bien Bridge, with honking traffic passing them by. By then Sean was used to the photographer yelling: “Look at the bride, kiss her, look at the bride, imagine your future together.” When he spotted a nearby hospital, he thought to himself: “I really hope that this is not be my future, as I was busy posing instead of looking at the traffic,” he says.
Many Western grooms say the wedding photographers were full of interesting ideas, but sometimes the poses seemed forced and unnatural, resulting in many couple’s photos looking the same. They wanted to do their own thing and act more natural, so that the photos seem more real.
According to some grooms, pre-wedding photography was an excellent opportunity for them to practice patience and get fit: “In Vietnam’s hot and humid weather, my suit was soaked in sweat. We kept asking: ‘Are we done yet?’ and the photographer kept replying ‘Almost’, but then I learned that a Vietnamese ‘almost’ was actually a long time. I could not smile anymore because my facial muscles were stretched out from smiling and posing all day,” Jon recalls.
Despite the tiresome day, the Western grooms we spoke to agreed that they had had a new, exciting, romantic, and even a little dangerous experience. “It’s worth spending a whole day to capture the most beautiful and happiest moments of your life, ones that you can keep and remember forever,” Antonio says. “Besides, this is also a great time for the couple to plan, draft ideas and discuss what they both would like to prepare for the photo shoot. It’s like a small practice activity that you can do together before your big day.”
It is not only the couple, but their family and friends too, for whom wedding photos are of interest. Antonio said that his family admires their wedding album, as it really captures their love. Jon says his friends were rather impressed with his wedding photos, because they were unique and different from what they have seen in their own country. “I think every couple should take pre-wedding photos, and I will recommend this memorable experience to every engaged couple,” Jon concludes.
Whatever lesson you learn from the book and film “Me Before You” and its theme song “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran, the one message that is delivered most clearly is that of the immortality of good memories in a person’s heart. Mauritius, the backdrop to the wonderful days Will and Clark spend together, is also a favourite destination among many couples in love.
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We keep this love in a photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are never broken
Time’s forever frozen still
Perhaps this is why Jojo Moves sends her protagonists Will, a handsome disabled young man with failing health and his wholesome caregiver Clark, to Mauritius for a final vacation. Although the trip does not change Will’s decision to find a peaceful death through assisted suicide, it helps the two find love and create unforgettable memories, in a land where time stops.
Mauritius, the backdrop to the wonderful days Will and Clark spend together, is also a favourite destination among many couples in love.
Mauritius – Better than heaven
Mark Twain once said about this island located in the Southwest of the Indian Ocean: “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.” This quote alone captures the surreal beauty of this island, beautiful beyond people’s imagination.
What is it about this place that mesmerised Mark Twain, and made him compare it to heaven?
Located in the southern hemisphere, Mauritius is blessed with pleasant weather, making it the perfect hiding place for Northerners who seek refuge from the cold.
During a swim in the iridescent blue water of the ocean glistening in the sunlight, you can see the coral reefs protecting the coast. If you have been looking for the perfect destination to go snorkelling or scuba diving, look no further as there is an abundance of species here, including the moray eel, triggerfish, scorpion fish, parrotfish, saurels and sharks.
If you are a fan of plants, don’t miss a visit to the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, the most beautiful of its kind in the world and home to the talipot palm. It is said that the talipot palm originated from India, and only blooms once during its lifetime, which lasts 30 to 80 years, before withering.
If physical activities are your thing, numerous exciting activities await you amidst spectacular nature. Explore the seven-coloured earth of Chamarel or go hiking in Black River Gorges national park.
Aerial view of the underwater waterfall and Le Morne Brabant peninsula. Amazing Mauritius landscape
What makes this peaceful island truly mesmerising is the harmonious mixture of three cultures originating from Asia, Africa, and Europe. The multi-cultural villages like Petite Julie or Queen Victoria are vestiges of the heritage of French and English culture.
Besides Creole, the official language of the country, which is a mix between French and a number of African and South Asian languages, you hear people of Indian, Chinese, African and European ancestry speak a few Asian languages.
Charming stories
Mauritius is home to the imposing Le Morne Brabant mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The magnificent mountain is a historic reminder to the slaves’ struggle for freedom, as it used to serve as a hiding place for slaves who escaped their suffering. The capital city Port Louis used to be the docking place for slave trafficking across the Indian Ocean.
Today, Mauritius is rich with tea fields, and sugarcane, spices and tobacco plantations. These agricultural products created the prosperity of the island, which is one of the riches on the continent.
To see a model sugar plantation, make sure to visit Le Domaine de Bel Ombre, which covers 2,500 hectares of land nestled between mountains and turquoise lagoons. Built in 1765, this place was cared for by famed Irish botanist, sociologist and scientist Charles Telfair. His heirs breathed new life into Bel Ombre with modern equipment. This created jobs and developed the capacity of the local sugar industry.
Similar to other remains of colonial times on the island, Bel Ombre castle sports long, smooth canopies and is surrounded by a French-style garden, creating a romantic atmosphere for the restaurant that is now situated there.
Enjoy lunch under the shades of trees, have dinner in a room filled with old artefacts, or simply enjoy a cocktail made from locally produced rum.
And in moments like this, think about Mark Twain’s remarks about this island, made over a hundred years ago, and know that you have set foot on one of the greatest paradises on earth.
Must-know
Mauritius Turf Club (M.T.C.) is the second oldest equestrian club in the world, after the U.K.’s Jockey. Champ de Mars racecourse is still the host of the most prestigious races on earth.
Dodo is Mauritius’s national bird. This flightless bird was spotted by Dutch sailors around 1600, and became extinct less than a century later. The existence of the dodo bird is only known through drawings and descriptive writing.
Visitors from Vietnam can apply online for a visa, and receive it at immigration upon arrival.
There is no direct flight from Vietnam to Mauritius. You can transit in Hong Kong, Johannesburg, or Paris. Alternatively, you can book flights from Vietnam to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, and then fly with Air Mauritius to the island.
Mauritius is home to 150 resorts, and each one covers numerous hectares.
I dreamed that one day, I would witness the sunrise on this paradise island, walk peacefully on long dreamy beaches, and swim in the turquoise water with my loved one.
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The first time I learned about the Bahamas was when the 2009 Miss Universe aired on live television. The white sandy beaches complemented by the most beautiful women on the planet, the clear blue water and the tropical coconut trees mesmerised me. Ever since then, I dreamed that one day, I would witness the sunrise on this paradise island, walk peacefully on long dreamy beaches, and swim in the turquoise water with my loved one.
This great desire grew stronger and stronger, until, on a sunny summer day, my dream finally came true. The moment I arrived, I understood why the Bahamas is known as a honeymoon paradise – surrounded by blue sea and full of white sand, blessed with sun, wind and love. After a lot of consideration, we opted for an all-inclusive four-day and three-night cruise amid the immense Atlantic Ocean for our honeymoon, which marked the beginning of our life together as husband and wife.
The cruise departed at 4 pm from Miami, Florida, USA. We wasted no time, and checked in early, much like for a flight. After having been shown our room, we leisurely checked out the swimming pool, ate and discovered the ship before it left the dock.
Majesty of the Seas is one of the smallest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, but to us, it seemed giant. The ship sports 12 floors, accommodating up to 2,000 passengers, in addition to 1,000 staff and crew. It takes days to explore all areas of this ship. The big ship and its modern amenities eased my wife’s nervousness and fatigues, despite being prone to seasickness. We immediately gravitated towards the pool area, with its live music, fun hosts and dancers who were performing in flashmobs to Latin music.
Dinner was served in a few different areas to please all passengers. Those who enjoy comfort were best suited with the buffet on the 11th floor, while the 3rd and 4th floor offered sitting dinners for those who prefer class and table service. We chose a quiet spot on the 3rd floor, as I wanted to have a private, romantic dinner with my wife, who also preferred this atmosphere. The melodious music, exquisite food, and fine wine would have pleased any couple in love.
After dinner, we walked on the deck to enjoy the ocean at nighttime. A little wine at dinner had made her eyes sparkle under the starry sky. During our first night on the cruise, we were surrounded by the deep ocean and felt so peaceful. When we woke up in the morning, we had reached the Bahamas.
Nassau, Bahamas – Paradise Island
Without the sunlight dancing on the windows, I probably wouldn’t have known a new day had broken. We could see Nassau – the capital city of the Bahamas – appear in the distance. I woke up my wife with a light kiss. We didn’t hurry to get to breakfast, but took a walk along the deck to enjoy the fresh ocean air. If you’re luckier than us, you might see a rainbow as an early rain often falls just before dawn. It is believed that couples who hold hands while witnessing a rainbow will be happy together forever.
At around 7:30 am, the ship docked at Nassau port. We took time to enjoy our breakfast, and then got off the ship to explore the city. Nassau is located on New Providence Island, in the northeast of the Bahamas. Despite covering an area of only 5 – 6% of the Grand Bahamas, the city accounts for two-thirds of the entire population, which perhaps explains why Nassau is the capital city.
A bustling shopping area is located on the main street, with goods including jewellery, perfume, ceramics and wine on offer. Tourists can discover and shop at their leisure. Souvenirs such as decorative plates or heart-shaped glasses decorated with photos of the Bahamas are priced at around US$ 12 – 15. My wife was fascinated by the island’s specialties, so we visited the straw market on Bay Street.
The market sells famous handicraft products including hats, baskets, and bags made from palm tree leaves. Both of us love seafood, so before we left, we managed to fill our stomachs with food from the market. “Conch” is a favourite dish of the people here; it resembles oysters but has firmer and whiter meat, and is fried, steamed or served as part of a salad. It is said to be beneficial to men’s health.
The Bahamas gained its independence in 1973. The majority (80%) of its population is black, and are descendants of slaves. The current population is nearly 400 thousand people, with an income per capita of US$ 43,000 – an enviable number. Thanks to its beautiful landscape, the Bahamas welcomes over 2 million visitors annually, which makes tourism a key sector for the country’s economy.
If you’re not interested in shopping, you can visit the administrative area, with the pink Government House, Parliament Street with the Independence Square, Supreme Court, and National Library. All these buildings have a simple architecture, which fits the friendly nature of the people here.
When in Nassau, swimming in the ocean is a must. Nobody can resist the velvety sandy beaches here. Paradise Island is famous for its endless beaches. It’s very convenient to travel from the pier to the island; it only cost us a US$ 4 taxi ride. Beaches here are divided into private and public areas. Public beaches are of course, free, while for access to private beaches, a charge of US$ 50 applies, which includes various services.
The island also has an underwater amusement park – the Atlantis – one of the biggest in the world. However, if you are easily scared, it’s best not to go. We wanted to learn more about the local culture, so we chose to visit a public beach.
Paradise Island is worthy of its name, as even the public beach here is stunning, with smooth white sand, warm and clear blue water. The beach is not as crowded as one would imagine. If you want to rent lounge chairs and umbrellas, you only need to pay US$ 10 for each. The sand was smooth and clean, so after taking a dip in the ocean, we lay on the beach to enjoy the ocean wind and watch the seagulls. Time passed by slowly that afternoon.
After a whole day of sightseeing and swimming in the ocean, we walked back to the cruise for dinner, after which we joined the crowd at the pool for some exotic Latin dancing and fun activities. At 11:30 pm, the ship left Nassau to set sail for another island in the Bahamas.
The night turned the day’s experiences into memories.
Cococay, Bahamas – under the playful shade of the coconut trees
Cococay is a small island in the northwest of the Bahamas. On a map it resembles a small dot alone in the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 7 hours away from Nassau. The large cruise ship could not dock on Cococay Island, so it had to anchor a mile away. Guests were then transported to Cococay on small ferries. Cococay lies on the apex of a triangle, the base of which is the line connecting Nassau and Grand Bahamas. “Cay” probably means island, while “Coco” definitely is derived from coconut, as there are countless coconut trees on the island. At least this was my speculation.
Surrounded by the ocean, the whole island is covered by smooth white sand, with lounge chairs line up under the shade of coconut trees, and no one can resist swimming in the ocean. The beaches are designed in different shapes, including scallops, and are divided into different areas for snorkelling, parasailing, water skiing and kayaking.
When on Cococay, do not miss the chance to relax with your loved one under the canopy of the coconut trees, as the sunlight bounces off your tanned skin and the tourists and locals pass by. Latin Americans are famous for being passionate, and you will see couples entwined, touching lips and sharing romantic moments together.
Lunch was served on the beach, with a BBQ where all kinds of food was served: ribs, chicken, salads, burgers, soft drinks and fruit. I was particularly impressed with the seagulls that were bold enough to sing as they passed by the people on the beach. They were also very disciplined, only eating the leftovers once people had finished their meal.
We were lucky enough to witness a wedding of a local couple, an incredible chance to learn about their culture. The wedding was a mix of European formality and liberal Latin American style. It took place at noon, with six bridesmaids and six groomsmen. They were so friendly, pulling visitors around the beach to join the wedding and take photos with them.
On a holiday like this, time is all yours. Enjoy the sun and the wind on Cococay Island to get the perfect Bahamian tan before leaving and the ship setting sail for another adventure. Our life turns a new page, but our memories of the endless white sand beaches, clear blue water, rows of coconut trees swaying in the wind and my wife softly singing “under the playful shades of coconut trees, say you love me forever…” will remain in our hearts.
W.Tips travel to Bahamas
The best time to visit: The Bahamas has over 300 days of sunshine every year, so you can visit any time. However, to avoid peak season, the time between May to October is the best. The weather is usually warmer from December to April.
Getting there from Vietnam: There is currently no direct flight from Vietnam to the Bahamas. You need to fly to the United States, and fly from there to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. If you choose a cruise, you need to fly to Miami, Florida. You should combine a trip to the US with a trip to the Bahamas to save time and cost.
Cost for two people: The all-inclusive five-day and four-night tour for two people (three nights in the Bahamas, one night in Key West) is US$950. The cost of reaching the US depends on the season, airline and ticket.
Cruise activities: If you prefer leisure over moving around, the cruise offers numerous activities, including swimming, yoga, gym, live music and dancing. A theatre is open every night showing theatre performances and variety shows and there are shopping, a casino, or photography studios on board.
What to bring: Swimwear, light and convenient clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrellas, walking shoes, flip-flops or sandals for beach days. A credit card is required for check-in on the cruise, to ensure payment for incurred expenses and a tip for the whole tour (US$50).
Other: You only need a US visa (multiple entry) to enter the Bahamas. English is the country’s official language. The official currency is Bahamas Dollars (BSD); the exchange rate is similar to US Dollars.
